When I was first learning to wash fleeces, I was told that rather than pulling all the wool out of the washer to refill the machine with hot water that I could just push the wool over to the far side as it was filling. Yes, that's true. I did it quite a few times. However, the One Time I got side tracked and the machine started agitating... Well, you know what happened.
"You did WHAT to my wool?!?"
It was, of course, a favorite sheep with a favorite fleece (Jester :-o) and even though it only agitated for probably less than a minute, it came out as a big rope of Jacob sheep dreadlocks.
Ruined.
Or was it?
I couldn't bring myself to throw it away. It was Jester after all. And it still was beautiful. It just needed a different job. I often wondered if I had let it agitate a little longer if it would have come out as a solid circle and look like a wool washing machine shaped wreath. I liked the idea, butstewed on it forgot about it for a few years.
I pulled it down out of the loft over the weekend and decided to try wrapping the rope of dreadlocks around a wire wreath form. Perfect!
I anchored it with some yarn - just simply tied a piece around the whole form about every 4-6 inches and snipped the tails. The wool completely hides the yarn.
I then took a felting needle and touched up any spots that looked like they needed it.
I wanted something for the bow that was either wool related or at very least natural looking, rather than plastic/nylon/polyester. This is an old felted (on purpose) sweater...that might look a bit familiar to some of you.
The Jacob sheep horse harness brass was an eBay find I think. That too was several years ago and it has been sitting around waiting for a job as well. Sometimes it pays to hang onto stuff ;-).
I'm not sure if I just got lucky with this or if it's repeatable...on purpose. The wreath is pretty neat though I think and might be a great way to utilize a fleece that wasn't an exceptional spinning fleece. If you try one yourself, let us know if it works!
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Random.org picked #1 in the Christmas card giveaway. Congratulations Susan :-). Drop me an email with your address and I'll get them sent right out...as opposed to the calendars that are still not ready to mail - a stapling issue of some sort. Hang tight!
"You did WHAT to my wool?!?"
It was, of course, a favorite sheep with a favorite fleece (Jester :-o) and even though it only agitated for probably less than a minute, it came out as a big rope of Jacob sheep dreadlocks.
Ruined.
Or was it?
I couldn't bring myself to throw it away. It was Jester after all. And it still was beautiful. It just needed a different job. I often wondered if I had let it agitate a little longer if it would have come out as a solid circle and look like a wool washing machine shaped wreath. I liked the idea, but
I pulled it down out of the loft over the weekend and decided to try wrapping the rope of dreadlocks around a wire wreath form. Perfect!
I anchored it with some yarn - just simply tied a piece around the whole form about every 4-6 inches and snipped the tails. The wool completely hides the yarn.
I then took a felting needle and touched up any spots that looked like they needed it.
I wanted something for the bow that was either wool related or at very least natural looking, rather than plastic/nylon/polyester. This is an old felted (on purpose) sweater...that might look a bit familiar to some of you.
The Jacob sheep horse harness brass was an eBay find I think. That too was several years ago and it has been sitting around waiting for a job as well. Sometimes it pays to hang onto stuff ;-).
I'm not sure if I just got lucky with this or if it's repeatable...on purpose. The wreath is pretty neat though I think and might be a great way to utilize a fleece that wasn't an exceptional spinning fleece. If you try one yourself, let us know if it works!
_____________________________________
Random.org picked #1 in the Christmas card giveaway. Congratulations Susan :-). Drop me an email with your address and I'll get them sent right out...as opposed to the calendars that are still not ready to mail - a stapling issue of some sort. Hang tight!
33 comments:
Great save! I did the same thing to my very first fleece, but it turned into a rug! I just might try this.
What an adorable wreath! Such ingenuity! I hope you have shown this to Jester in reparation for letting the washing machine agitate his fleece. I think it was meant to be creatively used all along. Love the red bow AND the jacob door knocker. How cool is this total ensemble!!!
You are one clever lady. Love the wreath....it's a perfect look for a sheep farm.
wow - your idea turned out great! the different colors in the fleece was perfect too! love it. (and the extras are such nice touches) If you start mass producing these, and run out of the red felted wool, i wonder what a frayed burlap ribbon would look like sashed around it?
Genius! I'll bet your subconscious had this planned all along - either that, or a mischievous little elf did!
That is downright amazing. Wish I had such a nicely coloured fleece - I doubt if a black or moorit wreath would have the same effect.
And -- yay for me! Sent you an email.
MORE THAN Martha Worthy! I bet she'd be jealous of such a treasure. Great job..now we all want "a mistake" wreath..get busy sista!
That is just BEAUTIFUL!!!!! I have GOT to have on of those!!!!!!!!
Fantastic save, you probably could not have done that good if you did it on purpose. Love the way the black and white are spread out thru the wreath. Bow and Jacob medal really make it complete.
WOW!!! What a stunning wreath! Love the red bow with the Jacob spotty wool rope!
That is just awesome! Very classy looking and festive. Bow and horse brass are perfect. Things don't have to be green, red, or gold to look Christmas-y. If you see a wreath like this from THE Martha you'll know there's been some intellectual property infringement issues!
Great save on a pretty fleece!
could you please accidently ruin another fleece so that I can have a wreath? I LOVE it! It's gorgeous!
Brilliant! I want one! I wonder if you could do this with bunches of britch wool? Hmm...
That's what I'd call a great mistake!
LOVELOVELOVE the wreath!! The texture and colors are irresistable. You did good!
As a serious wool addict...I adore this wreath!! I'm so glad it found it's true calling!
Ooooo Sara! The wreath is exceptional! By Jove, I think you've got something and it's going to start a trend around the world.
Stunning!
Wow! Holy cow....er... sheep!
My goddness! Your wreath is gorgeous. What a wonderful repurposing! Thanks for sharing your work, and Merry Christmas!
That is brilliant!!.. and beautiful.
What a great wreath! It's always nice when our mistakes can turn out so nice.
I. LOVE. that. Wreath.
kim
That is the coolest wreath Sara and what a great idea :)
You are amazing!
Your wreath is GORGEOUS!
Great save - very cool!
I hate it when I get agitated for more than a minute too, cool wreath, great save..:-))
This is SO cool, and even better being a two-toned (Jacob) fleece!
Wonderful! Perfect for your farm!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.scom
Beautiful wreath! Very clever and creative. : )
Great Wreath!
Once again, you have shown that there really isn't any "bad wool", just depends on the project you have in mind ;-)
(judging from all of the comments here, I'd say your project is a keeper!)
It's beautiful! I love it... Great idea! :) I just may have to try this.
wow! what a wonderful wreath! looks fabulous in the jacob black and white-
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